I think your right, in that Dorion plays hardball. I think he will get the Cat under Stutzle's number or will trade him, basically a "here it is, take it or leave it" deal (I have a funny feeling the Cat will take it and lay some roots in Ottawa).

Brassard is in Ottawa or retiring - he has said as much, as he has moved too much in recent years and wants to be near some businesses he's invested in (Gatineau Olympic being one).

Hamonic has always put family over career, so we will see if Ottawa is a good fit for his family (he has requested trades to be near family in Manitoba in the past and even did not report for a period in Vancouver).

I also think Formenton, if cleared, will not cost that much. He'll be a RFA with baggage and who spent a year outside the NHL. Maybe a 2.5 million bridge deal. I think your close on Pinto, definitely a bridge deal, as he has shown he's not quite a 2nd liner yet.